Pontus Aberg Is Returning To The NHL

After finding some success in the KHL, Pontus Aberg is returning to North America. He signed a 1-year two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators today, making them the sixth NHL team he's played for in 7 seasons. Aberg has previously played for the Preds, Oilers, Ducks, Wild, and Maple Leafs.

Aberg was drafted 37th overall in 2012 by Nashville and has had a rough journey through his developing years. He bounced between the Preds lineup and the Milwaukee Admirals for three years before being shipped to Edmonton for Mark Letestu. Then he signed with the Ducks, where he seemed to have finally found his game, scoring 11 goals and 19 points in 37 games. However, the Ducks elected to ship him out at the deadline and his inconsistency reared its head again, cratering his offence. He scored 1 goal and 6 points in the remaining 22 games he played that season. The Leafs signed him the following summer to be an AHL veteran, but he started lighting it up with the Marlies scoring 24 goals and 44 points in 55 games, so the Leafs called him up. He managed just 1 assist in 5 games, and that looked to be it for his NHL career. Toronto added him as a sweetener in the Kapanen trade, but he never saw the ice in Pittsburgh. He played all last season in the KHL, where he had some moderate success, but nothing astounding.

Aberg's return to the NHL is a bit of a gamble for the Sens, but they have very little to lose. On the off-chance he finds his scoring game again, they've added a productive player for cheap. If not, Aberg has proven he can produce in the AHL, and I'm sure Belleville would be happy to have him.

What do you think about the return of Pontus Aberg?

Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports